On a recent episode of Beyond Bitewings, the Edwards & Associates team explores two increasingly important financial strategies for dental practices: streamlining payment processing and building effective in-house membership plans. Guest Mandy Meline from Pay Proudly brings nearly two decades of experience in dental operations, shares real-world insights and practical steps practices can take to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Key Takeaways for Dental Practices:

1. Rethink Payment Processing for Efficiency
Manual entry errors, inconsistent reporting, and clunky systems can make reconciling payments a daily headache. Integrated payment platforms that work with your practice management system can reduce mistakes, save staff time, and improve cash flow visibility. Features like card vaulting (securely storing patient card information for future use) and recurring payments are now standard and expected by patients.

2. In-House Membership Plans Are a Smart Move
Third-party membership program platforms can come with high fees and limited flexibility. Bringing your membership plan in-house allows more control, better margins, and a more personalized patient experience. Practices considering this option should look for tools that allow for automatic payments, easy plan management, and clear reporting.

3. Surcharge Models Are Gaining Ground
With rising operating costs, more dental practices are opting to pass along credit card processing fees to patients. While this isn’t the right fit for everyone, it’s becoming more common – and accepted by patients – especially when presented with transparency and alternative payment options like debit or HSA cards.

4. Know What You’re Paying
Many practice owners don’t fully understand their credit card processing fees. Reviewing your monthly statements and doing a true cost comparison is worth the effort. You may be paying more than you think – money that could go toward staffing, technology, or reinvestment in the practice.

5. Support Matters
Whatever system you use, be sure it comes with reliable, accessible support. A responsive team that understands the dental industry can make a huge difference when issues arise or questions come up.

This episode is a helpful listen for any dental practice owner thinking about improving financial systems or building more predictable, recurring revenue streams.